Automatic grave cover



1,508,196 -O. E. STEGALL AUTOMATIC GRAVE COVER Filed Oct. 1.1. 1923 3 Sheets-Sheet l 3 Sheets-Sheet O. E. STEGALL AUTOMATIC GRAVE COVER Filed Oct. l1. 1923 Sept. 9 1924.

Sept. 9. 1924.

O. E. STEGALL AUTOMATIC GRAVE covER Filed Oct. l1. 1923 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 .1 mnrnmmmmmuummmmwmmmuuwduhw. m ..4 ,lwuHnuhUMHHHHAIJ .n d M m WJ( r t S., u E m w im m 01m-HHHHHHHHHWM 0 n f/"IIIHIIMHHHNUIII'IHIJUHMHMR n n lllll .A m u n n m riirfr krt.. m n msm ww hjw. Q. .n S Ef, .f LN. R x4@ l .i l v l. y ,hw am i S Patented Sept. 9, 1924.

UNET if. STATES insane Param' erica.,

cnn-Hann To esoneri o.

BALLINGER, F 'RICHMOND NDIANA.

AUTOMATIC GRAVE oovnn.

Application led October 11, 1923. Serial No. 667,785.

To @ZZ whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, ORA E. STEGALL, a citizen of the United Sta-tes, residing in the city of Richmond, in the county of l/Vayne, State of Indiana, have invented a new and useful Automatic Grave Cover, of which the following is a full, clear, and comprehensive specification and exposition, the same being such as will enable others to make and use the same with exactitude.

The object of my present invention, broadly speaking, is to provide a device adapted to contribute to minimizing the dread or consternation one feels before an open grave as the body of ones friend is being lowered thereinto, and to make the conditions and Ithe remembrances thereof as pleasant as possible.

Another object is to provide a construction adapted to automatically operate in connection with a casket lowering device and vadapted to carry floral offerings or other remembrances, withmeans whereby as the casket moves downward into the grave my invention will automatically, silently, and slowly move over and cover and close the grave opening, whereby the floral offerings alone will be in view, andthereby making the conditions more pleasant.

My invention is simple in character,

strong and durable in construction, easily operated and controlled, automatic in its movements, easily and quickly assembled or taken apart, requiring only a minimum of space for its storage or transportation, will not interfere with the usual operations of placing a casket in position or lowering it into a grave, providing an artistic ensemble when in use, and which can be manufactured and sold at a comparatively low price.

Other minor objects and particular advantages of the inventionwill suggest themselves in the course of the following description and that which is new will be correlated in the appended claims.

One manner of carrying out the principles of my invention in a practical way is shown in the accompanying three-sheets of drawings, forming part of this speciiication, in which- Figure l is a top plan view of my invention, ink connection with a casket lowering device, and a. casket in position at the commencement of itsmovement being lowered into a grave. Figure 2 is a plan view 'lowered into the grave A in of the same, with the casket shown in position wherein it has moved downward just below the surface of the ground. Figure 3 is an end elevation of the same, wherein the casket has reached the bottom of the grave, with my device directly over the grave in its iinal operative position lFigure 4 is a: top plan view of a portion o-f the lowering device, showing the auxiliary tracks fully extended parallel with each other, with their free ends restingv on the outer roller of the lowering device. Figure 5 is a vertical section of one of the two supporting posts, showing portions of the tracks in connection therewith. Figure 6 is a plan view of one of the two auxiliary frames or wings, showingv the manner of their connection. And Figure 7 is an `enlarged detail side elevation of one of the automatic release devices. l Similar indices denote like parts throughout the several views. f ln order that the construction, the objects, and the several advantages of the invention may be more fully understood and appreciated I will now take up a detailed description thereof, in which I will set forth thesame as fully and as comprehensively as l may.

The parts shown in the are well known and form no part of my invention, but lare merely shown to make clear the o-peration thereof when associated therewith, are denoted by letters; while the parts which are new and form my invention are denoted by numerals.

drawings which In the drawings letter A denotes a grave `and B denotes the surface lof the Vearth in which the grave is formed. s

Letter C denotes a burial casket, to be the usual manner. V

For lowering the casket, it is usual to einploy a lowering-device, comprising 'the end members D and E. and the revolvable side members or rollers F and G, the ends of thel side members turning in the corner `meinybers or housings H, I, J" and K where they are geared to 'revolve synchronously, lcontrolled by the lever L. The ends of the end members D and E are secured in the respective corner members.

Letter M denotes run-boards, forming a frame resting Aon the surface B, and surrounding the grave A, and on which the lowerine device is supported, and it provides walk-ways tor the pall-bearers when placing the casket on the lowering device.

Letter N denotes the two lowering` straps, whose ends are connected to the rollers F and Gr and they are adapted to be rolled thereon. Said rollers always turning in directions opposite to each other.

The invention proper comprises a relatively stationary trame, consisting, iirst, ot two body posts l and 2, as shown in Fig. 5, each having a flanged base to rest on the ground B, each having a vertical socket 3 (shown only in Fig. 5) which extends downward through their upper ends, each having a horizontal aperture 4 therethr ngh near their lower ends; cach having a rearwardly extending pintle 5 at its upper end; and each having a bracket 6, whose face is directly below the pintle 5 with a channel termed in said face concentric with the pintle 5, `lor the purpose hereinafter stated.

Said posts l and 2 are detachably connected by the front tie-rod 7, whose end portions are disposed through the openings 4 ot the posts 1 and 2, where they may be rigidly secured by the respective thuinbescrews 8, after said posts are properly spaced, and said tie-rod not only prevents said posts from moving laterally with relation to each other but it prevents them from turning.

Numerals 9 and l() denote the relatively iiXed track-rails, each adapted to fit in its respective channel formed in the upper tace of the brackets 6, and having openings in their forward ends in which may fit. the ref spective pintles 5 whereby the rails 9 and l0 will be rigidly but detachably connected with the posts l and 2. The rear ends ot the rails 9 and 10 are threaded into the respective fittings ll and l2, and said fittings e 1e con" nected by the tie-rod 13 which extends therebetween.

Numerals 14 and l5 standards, which are through the respective fittings il and each is adapted to be secured at any point by the respective set-screw stops i6 and 17. The lower ends ot each of the standards 14 and l5 is provided with disc toot 18, as in Fig. 3, to rest on the surtace B, or the lower ends oi said standards may be 'formed pointed whereby they may be driven into the ground.

By loosening the stops 1G and 17 it is evident that the standards 14 and l5 may be raised and lowered, in order to level the tracks 9 and l0, regardless of the inclination of the surface B.

rThe upper ends of the standards 14 and i5 may be provided with balls, flags, or other decorative finish as desired.

rlhe stationary 'frame thns formed is to be assembled near one side ot the grave A,

denote the adjustable slidably mounted. and l2,

with the posts l and 2 near the run-board M of that side, as shown.

T he swinging track members 19 and 2O are termed with one end portion of each turned at right-angles thereto, as the part 2l shown in Fig. 5. The parts 2l are adapted to fit and turn in the respective sockets 3 of the posts l and 2, whereby said tracks 19 and 2O may swing horizontally to and from the positions shown in the drawings, being` located as in Fig. l when the device is first assembled in operative position.

rlhe carriage consists essentially ot two main sections, which are identical with each other; and two wing sections, which are identical with each other; the whole lornr ing rectangular table or platform, which l will now described in detail: One ot the main sections ot the carriage comprises the front and the rear rods, 22 and 23 respectively, which are parallel with each other, and two side rods 24 and 25, which are also parallel with each other. The rods 22 and 25 are connected by the T-fitting 26. The rods and 23 are connected by the T-fitting 2i". rlhe rods 23 and 24 are connected by the Lrlfitting 28. And the rods 24 and 22 are connected by' the 'lm-fitting 29. The 'frame section thus termed is covered by a sheet et aluminum 38, or other metal, or with vfabric or wood, or other material may be employed whereby a vtable top is provided.

The other main section ot the carriage comprises the trent and the rear rods 3() and 3l, respectively, which are parallel with each other, and the two side rods 32 and 33 also parallel with. each other. The rods 39 and 33 are connected by the T-litting 34. rlhe rods 33 and Si are connected by the "l litting 35. The rods 3l and 32 are connected by the f-fitting And the rods 32 and 30 are connected by the `T-fitting 37. The said second. traine is covered by a sheet ot aluminum 39, or other material the saine as the first section.

he said main sections are. adapted to be detachalily connected by the dowels 49 and 4l, the 'former projecting from the fitting in which it is fixed and is adapted to be renicvably inserted in the fitting 26 (Fig. g while the latter projects from the fitting 36 in which it is fixed and adapted to be removably inserted in the fitting 27.

@ne wing ot the carriage comprises the rod 42, of same length as the rod 24 with which it is parallel, and it has the L-ttings 48 and 44 on its ends. Said fittings 43 and 44 carry the short rods 45 and 46, respectively, which are parallel with each other and at right angles to the rod 42. The tree ends of the short rods 45 and 46 are adapted to be detachably inserted in the r-spective fittings 29 and 28. And this wing is covered by a sheet et aluminum 80, or the like.

The other wing of the carriage comprises lill) y 50 and 51 on its ends. Said fittings 50 and 51 carry the short rods 52 and 53, respectively, which are parallel with each other and are at right angles to the rod 49. The free ends of the short rods 52 and 53 are adapted to be detachably inserted in the respective fittings 37 and 3,6, and this wing of the carriage is covered by a sheet of aluminum 81, or the like.

Extending across between the rods 22 and 23, and secured theretojas by the bolts54 and 55, is the har 56, which is located a short udistance from and parallel with the rod 24.

Likewise extending across between the rods 30 and 31, secured thereto, as by the bolts 57 and 58, is the bar 59, which is located a Short distance from and parallel with the rod 1 Said bars 56 and 59 are located directly above the respective rails 9 and 10.

Secured to the bar 56, as by the bolts 60 and 61, are respective forward and rearward brackets (not shown) which extend down from the underside of said bar, each carries a track-wheel (not shown) which wheels are adapted to travel on the tracks 9 and 19, in the same manner as that shown at the right in Fig. 3.

Likewise secured to the bar 59, as by the bolts 62 and 63, are therespective forward and rearward brackets 64 and 65, which extend downward from the underside of said l bar, as shown in Fig. 3. The brackets 64 and 65 carry the respective track-wheels 66 and 67, which are adapted to travel on the tracks 10 and 20. f

All of said track-wheels are formed with inwardlycurved or concave faces, whereby they will stride the respective tracks without danger of inadvertently coming off.

Numerals 68 and 69 denote curved fingers which extend downward and inward from the respective bars 56 and 59 to which they are secured, and they are adapted to engage the respective track members 19 and 20, as shown in Fig. 2.

Detachably secured around the roller F are split pulleys 70 and 71, on which are adapted to be wound the respective'straps 72 and 73, with their inner ends secured thereto.l

Secured on the outer, rear,'ends Vof the re-y spective straps 72 and 73 are the respective links 74 and 75.

Secured to the rear portion of the carriage, as for instance to the rods 46 and 53 or if preferred to the rods 23 and 31) but in line with the pulleys 70 and 71, are the curved catches 76 and 77, each of which has a latch, 78 and 79 respectively, formed of comparatively small spring wire, in connection therewith to hold the links 74 and 75 in connection with the hook portions of the catches, las in vF 7, until the rear edge of the carriage is almost over the roller vF, when the downward pull, caused by the links turning to the position shown by dotted linesr in F ig. 7, will cause the links to pull free of the latches and thereby stop the travel of tne carriage.

The operation of my invention is substantially as follows: l

After the grave has been excavated the run-boards M are placed therearound on the` i ground B. The lowering device is then setk up upon the run-boards and surrounding the grave, the straps N being made taut. After which my device is set up at 'one side of the grave as shown, withthe posts 1 and 2 near vthe run-board, adjusting the height `of the posts whereby the auxiliary tracks 19 and 20 will be at a slightly higher elevation than the top-of the lowering device, but at this time each of said auxiliary tracks should be folded inward, as in Fig. 1. The'standards 14 and 15 should be adjusted whereby the tracksl 9 and 10 will be substantially level.

tracks 9 and 10 and located far enough to the rear where it will not interfere withpersons walking around the grave.

The straps 72 and 73 are next extended under the carriage from their pulleys '7G-and 71, and the links 74 and 75 are then engaged in their respective catches 7 6 and 77.

lf desired, a fabric spread, either plain or ornamental, (not shown) may be placed over the entire table or carriage, with itsv edges extending or hanging down therearound, after which flowers and other decorations or remembrances may be placed thereon.

TheA casket C may now be placed upon the strips N where it will be supported thereby.

Now by a movement of the lever L the lowering device will operate, permitting the rollers F and G to turn, thereby unwinding the strips N therefrom and causing thecasket to slowly move downward. ,l

Now as the casket moves downward it 'is apparent that the straps 72 and 3 will wind around the pulleys 70 and 71, thereby drawing the carriage horizontally toward the grave while the casketmoves downward vertically into the grave.

Immediately after `the top of the casket has come below the upper level of the lowering device the carriage will have moved forward whereby the fingers 68 and 69 will impinge the auxiliary track-members 19 and 20, andi as the carriage continues to move forward the said auxiliary track members will be swung forward and outward and finally arriving in position parallel with the track members 9 and 10, and therefore as the carriageV continues to move forward the wheels on which the carriage is mounted will roll out on said auxiliary tracks, as

The carriage is next placed upon the shown in Fie. 3. The weight ot the carriage will cause the outer' end portions oi the tracks 19 and 2O to contact with the roller irl, by which they will be supported.

As the carriage reaches the voositiou in which it is shown in Fig. 3, that is directly over the grave, it is evident that the unwounl end portions oi the straps 'YQ and T3 will be pulled somewhat downward, instead ot directly tor-ward or h "ivontal as at liest, theretore at this point tl'ie lin and 'T5 will automatically pulled out of their respective latches, thereby causing the carriage l OS to stop at this point, however t ie cV t 'will continue to move clornwaro until it reaches the bottom oft the grave.

lt is intended that the carriage and the liowers therco shall renain over and covei1` ing the grave until the 'Friends have de parted, or it may be easily pushed back 'to its starting position.

lFrom the above it is apparent that, when leaving, the last sight t ie tiende will have will not be of the ycasket and the grave, but in place thereoi 'the last sight will be ol the flowers which are displayed upon the 'table of the carriagelx thereby accomplishing the object ot the. invention by providing an artistic ensemble long to be remembered by the friends.

l desire that it be understood that various changes may be made in the several details of construction and the arrangement oi parts from that herein shown without departing trom the spirit oi the invention and without sacrieing any ot the advantages thereof.

l-laving now fully shown and described my invention, what l claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent ot the nited States, is

l. An automatic grave covering comprising in combination with a grave, a casket and a casket. lowering device; a horizontal table located at one side of the. grave, and means whereby as the casket is lowered into the grave said table will move horizontally and cover the grave openinff.

2. An automatic grave covering comprising in combination with a grave, a casket, and a casket lowering device; a horizontal table located at one side oi the grave, ineans whereby as the casket is lowered into the grave said table will move horizontally and cover the grave, and means by which when the table reaches position directly over the grave it will stop and remain stationary while the casket 'continues to be lowered in the grave.

3. An automatic grave cover, comprising` a horizontal table, wheels connected to the table, relatively stationary tracks on which said wheels revolve, means for moving the table in one direction upon said tracks, au iliary tracks which are normally turned at right angles to the stationary tracks, and means carried by the table for turning1 auxiliary tracks into alinement with the stationary tracks whereby said wheels may 'travel from the stationary tracks onto the auxiliary tracks.

4. An automatic grave cover, comprising` a carriage forming a table and formed by a plurality ci frames, means for detachably connecting said trames, detachable wings for said trames, relatively stationary tracks tor the carriage, wheels connecting the carriage with said tracks, foldable extension tracks, means carried by the carriage tor 'turning the extension tracks whereby they will provide continuations ot the first named tracks, and means tor automatically draw ing the carriage in one directionil 5. in automatic grave cover comprising in combination, a carriage orming1 a table, means tor detachably connecting the various parts of the carriage, wheels for supporting the carriage, relatively stationary tracks on which said wheels may travel7 auxiliary tracks adapted 'to swing laterally, means carried by the carriage tor swinging the au);- iliary tracks into alinement with the stationary tracks whereby' said wheels may travel on the auxiliary tracks, and adjust` able means ior leveling said tracks.

d .ein automatically operable. grave cover comprising` in combination with casket lowering device, a carriage lorming a horizontal table, 'track wheels tor supportingv the carriage, main track sections on which said wheels revolve, auxiliary track sections normally folded. at right-angles to the main track sections, means carried by the carriage by which as the carriage travels toward the auxiliary track sections the auxiliary track sections will be turned into alinement with the main track sections and extending over the casket lowering device to permit the wheels of the carriage to travel on the auf ilia-ry track sections whereby the carriage will be brought to position over the casket lowering device.

ORA E. STEGALL, 

